The Vice President of India M. Hamid Ansari met with the National Bravery Award- 2014 winner children at a function here today. He interacted with the brave children and their parents and encouraged them for their valour acts. The children shared with him their acts of bravery. The Vice President wished the brave children the grand success in their career ahead. Twenty four children have been awarded National Bravery Awards this year including four children awarded posthumously The awardees receive a Medal, a Certificate and Cash prize and they will participate in the Republic Day Parade. These awards were initiated in 1957 by the Indian Council for Child Welfare (ICCW). The awardees will be granted financial assistance until they complete their school education under a sponsorship programme of the Council. Financial assistance is provided by some State Governments also. ICCW provides financial assistance under its ‘Indira Gandhi Scholarship Scheme’ to those children who undertake professional courses such as engineering and medicine. For other children, this assistance is provided till they complete their graduation. The Government of India has reserved some seats for the awardee children in medical and engineering colleges and polytechnics. The selection for bravery awards were made by a high powered committee comprising representatives of various ministries/departments, non-governmental organisations as well as senior members of Indian Council for Child Welfare (ICCW).